Debunking the Misleading Claims
New Delhi: A vintage image depicting the wreckage of a downed fighter jet is circulating widely on pro-Pakistan social media platforms, incorrectly associating it with the recent 'Operation Sindoor'.
On Wednesday, the fact-checking division of the Press Information Bureau clarified that this image is not new. It originates from a previous incident involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-29 fighter jet that crashed in Barmer, Rajasthan, back in September 2024.
At that time, the IAF confirmed the incident, noting that the pilot had safely ejected and a court of inquiry was initiated to investigate the cause.
In a related context, following the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian forces executed missile strikes targeting nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. This included significant locations such as the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold in Bahawalpur and a Lashkar-e-Taiba base in Muridke.
These military operations were part of 'Operation Sindoor', launched two weeks after the Pahalgam incident that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
The defence ministry stated, "Earlier today, the Indian Armed Forces initiated 'Operation Sindoor', targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, from where attacks against India have been orchestrated."
In response, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the missile strikes, labeling them as an "act of war" and asserting that Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately.
The Indian government clarified that no military facilities in Pakistan were targeted, emphasizing that the strikes were conducted with restraint and precision.
